Marna McManus

Bats are a valuable part of the ecosystem as they are crucial aerial insectivores, and they even protect crops and gardens from pests. However, a fungal 'white nose syndrome' is devastating to a whole roost of bats during hibernation. This is why researchers at the University of Saskatchewan are working on the conservation of two endangered bat species, the little brown bats and the northern myotis bats.

Bats are a valuable part of the ecosystem as they are crucial aerial insectivores, and they even protect crops and gardens from pests. However, a fungal 'white nose syndrome' is devastating to a whole roost of bats during hibernation. This is why researchers at the University of Saskatchewan are working on the conservation of two endangered bat species, the little brown bats and the northern myotis bats.

As always, it was a packed long weekend at parks in Saskatchewan, with overnight campers in overflow spots at both Nickle Lake and Mainprize Park.

"We've been very fortunate that our July and August long weekends were completely full," said Mainprize Regional Park Manager Michelle Walsh. ''We've had some extremely great weather out here this summer. I know it's been a little bit dry, but it's been great weather for people to hang out outside, just enjoying the outdoors."

Some support is being offered by the Water Security Agency for farmers and ranchers experiencing drought conditions.

Rain in July was not a common occurrence, which has created a number of challenges for producers. 

The announcement was made yesterday that the WSA will make water and vacant land available to support these farmers and ranchers who are dealing with the issues associated with drought.

When one thinks of biting flies, the first thing that usually comes to mind is horse flies. However, there are a number of different families of blood-sucking flies, and, in fact, around one million species of 'obligate blood-feeders' can be found worldwide.

This is according to Dr. James Tansey, the Provincial Insect and Vertebrate Pest Management Specialist for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture. 

The flies this summer seem to be biting more than the mosquitos. In fact, we've been hearing from our listeners about the nuisance the biting families of flies are causing in the area.

Many of these flies release a numbing anti-coagulant when they bite, which means they have already had a feast before you even notice the painful, burning sensation, which can sometimes leave quite a mark on people, pets, and livestock.

When one thinks of biting flies, the first thing that usually comes to mind is horse flies. However, there are a number of different families of blood-sucking flies, and, in fact, around one million species of 'obligate blood-feeders' can be found worldwide.

This is according to Dr. James Tansey, the Provincial Insect and Vertebrate Pest Management Specialist for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture. 

With the extreme heat, Saskatchewan was close to setting a new summer power consumption record last Monday afternoon.

The province was at 3,478 megawatts on July 28th, with the record being 3,551 set on August 31st, 2022.

SaskPower spokesperson Joel Cherry says there are a number of things they can do to make sure there's a reliable supply of electricity available for customers.

Some support is being offered by the Water Security Agency for farmers and ranchers experiencing drought conditions.

Rain in July was not a common occurrence, which has created a number of challenges for producers. Read the latest Weekly Crop Report for our region from the province here.

The Midale Oilman's Association are counting a success their 31st annual Golf Tournament, which was held at Mainprize Regional Park on Friday, July 21st. 

President Darren Moldenhauer said they had 100 golfers out for the sunny, windless day.

"Our winners of the low score of the round was Nolan Rohatyn & Anthony Melle, and they also won the horse race that we do after that low score event," he shared. 

The funds, he noted, are donated each year back into the local community.